25 clever Ikea finds that look more expensive than they are
Because style doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Ikea, the Swedish superstore beloved by students and grown-ups alike, is famous for affordable furniture and homewares that somehow manage to look much more expensive than they are – if, that is, you don’t go overboard and recreate the showroom in your living room.
The trick (and it is a trick) is to exercise restraint: one or two well-chosen pieces, ideally mixed with vintage finds and the odd “proper” thing, and suddenly your home looks considered and pleasingly individual, rather than as though you’ve just moved into an Ikea showroom.
I’m a fan of the high/low approach myself – nothing too matchy-matchy, everything with a bit of personality – and Ikea is a goldmine for this, especially if you avoid the obvious and keep an eye out for design classics alongside their limited-edition collaborations (Tom Dixon! Ilse Crawford! Marimekko!) which are reliably excellent and, crucially, don’t cost the earth.
If you’re after clever Ikea buys that look effortlessly expensive without the price tag, here are 25 standout pieces that prove style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Consider this your shortcut to a home that feels thoughtfully curated rather than cookie-cutter standard.
(Please note that all prices are in Australian dollars and I’ve used links to the Australian Ikea website. Search for the same products on your local site.)
1. PAPPERSBJÖRK glasses, $19 for a pack of 4
If you're a fan of Iittala's renowned coloured glassware, the Pappersbjoerk glasses offer a similar aesthetic at a fraction of the cost, making it easy to add a touch of Scandinavian-inspired cheer to your home.
2. RÖDFLIK floor/reading lamp in grey-green, $49
Inspired by the vintage charm of enamel industrial spaces, this floor lamp adds a touch of character with its grey-green finish and brass-coloured accents. Its adjustable head and slender design make it a versatile piece that can be effortlessly incorporated into any style of home.
3. BÄCKNATE / HEMMA pendant lamp, $58
This pendant offers a study in simple elegance with its sculptural lines and minimalist silhouette. Similar designer lights with comparable understated sophistication often fetch prices of $200 AUD or more.
4. SKÅLBODA orange armchair, $99
This vibrant orange armchair channels iconic Bertoia and vintage Breotex chairs at a fraction of the cost. While genuine Bertoia chairs, known for their sculptural wire frames and timeless elegance, can command prices in the thousands, this affordable option offers a similar touch of modernist style without the premium price tag.
5. MÄVINN basket, $19 for a set of two
With their hand-woven jute texture and cheerful yellow accents, the Mavinn baskets bring a touch of natural warmth and artisanal charm to any space. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these baskets support a social business in Bangladesh, making them a stylish and socially conscious storage solution.
6. TOFTBO bath mat in green/blue, $8
With its playful colour blocking and plush texture, this bath mat evokes the minimalist and cheerful aesthetic of Danish design brands like Hay. For a fraction of the price, this bath mat delivers a similar pop of colour style, bringing a touch of Scandi-cool to your bathroom.
7. STOCKHOLM 2025 glasses, $20 for a pack of 4
While similar glasses from designer brands like Riedel or NUDE can retail for $30-$50 AUD per glass, these mouth-blown vessels from the Stockholm 2025 collection offer a sleek and functional alternative at a fraction of the price.
This box frame’s clean lines lend it a sophisticated simplicity that belies its budget-friendly price. Frames with a similar minimalist aesthetic and quality construction can easily fetch upwards of $50-$100 AUD from other retailers, making this Ikea find a steal.
9. DEJSA table lamp, beige/opal white glass, $69
With its gently rounded, mouth-blown opal glass shade, this table lamp is a favourite for its beautifully soft, diffused glow – I even know an interior designer who swears by it as their go-to bedside lamp.
10. STORSINT glasses, $20 for a pack of 6
Elevate your table setting with the Storsint glass, featuring classic modern curves that make them perfect for both everyday use and special occasions. They are nearly identical to my Iittala every day tumblers.
11. DYTÅG throw, $49
The DYTAG range – featuring cushions, throws, and curtains in 100 per cent linen –brings the relaxed, breathable luxury of high-end brands to your home at an accessible price point.
With its warm oak veneer frame and integrated shelf, this mirror offers a blend of functionality and Scandinavian design. Similar mirrors with oak detailing and built-in shelving command higher prices due to their premium materials and craftsmanship, making this Ikea find a stylish and practical bargain for any room.
Designed by Ilse Crawford, this vase boasts a subtly sculptural form and tactile finish. While the British designer’s pieces typically command premium prices, with some of her pieces retailing for thousands dollars, this Ikea collaboration offers her signature aesthetic at an affordable price point.
The iconic Skala tray, crafted from birch with sturdy handles, offers a simple yet elegant way to serve guests or display decorative items. Similar birch trays from brands like Skagerak or Marimekko, known for their classic Finnish design, can range from $100-$200 AUD or more. Our Skala tray gets lots of use at home.
15. NÄBBFISK tablecloth, patterned off-white/dark green, $19
With vibrant colour and bold patterns, Ikea’s tablecloths are usually a good buy, channelling the iconic graphic designs of Marimekko. Since authentic Marimekko tablecloths can easily cost upwards of $150 AUD or more, these Ikea finds offer an incredibly affordable way to infuse your dining space with the fun and distinctive Finnish look.
16. LÖFTESRIK 2-piece stainless steel salad servers set, $15
Designed by Aaron Probyn, the Loeftesrik salad servers are a clean, stainless-steel design. You’ll find similar designs by Georg Jensen and Stelton, with prices fetching upwards of $100 AUD.
17. OMBONAD serving plate, $39
The OMBONAD range of platters, glasses, bowls and placemats brings a touch of Scandinavian chic to your table, reminiscent of the bold patterns and vibrant designs you'd find in Marimekko's collections. With their graphic prints and natural materials, these affordable pieces allow you to infuse your dining space with Nordic style without the designer price tag.
18. GULLSUDARE pendant lamp shade, $15
This classic rice paper lamp embodies classic Japandi mid-century design with its gentle curves and natural materials. Crafted from plywood with a warm oak veneer, this sculptural light fixture casts a soft, inviting glow. Its elegant form adds a touch of understated style to any room.
19. OMBONAD jute braid place mat, $8
Versatile jute placemats at Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn can cost from $20-$40 AUD each, making this Ikea mat a stylish and affordable way to protect your table and add a warm, natural element to your decor.
20. SANELA blue cushion cover, $10
Crafted from 100 per cent cotton velvet, this cushion offers a luxurious feel at a fraction of the cost of similar velvet cushions elsewhere. Perfect for adding a dash of colour and texture, these cushions prove that you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a high-end look.
These minimalist Japanese-inspired Stockholm vessels are a budget-friendly way to add a pop of colour to your kitchen without compromising on style or quality.
With its subtly curved corners and gently fluted design, this bin could easily be mistaken for a piece from Hay. While their Shade Bin, featuring a clean and distinct silhouette, retails for around $90 AUD, this Ikea find offers a similar touch of Scandi design at a more budget-friendly price point.
23. STRANDLUMMER duvet cover and 2 pillowcases, $39
This duvet cover set bursts with a vibrant, vintage-inspired floral pattern, adding a cheerful and maximalist touch to your bedroom. Similar floral bedding by Liberty can easily cost upwards of $300-$500 AUD.
24. LOHALS flatwoven rug, $169
A super hard-wearing rug , all without the eye-watering price tag of upwards of $1,000 for similar jute rugs you can find elsewhere.
25. VARMBLIXTLED orange glass table/wall lamp, $99
Known as the "donut lamp," this sculptural masterpiece is designed by Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis. It offers a stylish and affordable way to bring a touch of high-end design into your home, capturing the essence of Marcelis' signature style without the hefty price tag of similar designer pieces.
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I've always loved IKEA, there's always something that works for me or something irresistibly cute. The meatballs are just a bonus 🧆
IKEA is my happy place!